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In a significant development ahead of next year's general election, a pair of prominent figures in Nepali politics have joined forces. This alliance comes in the wake of widespread and deadly youth-led protests that shook the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Commitment to Tackle Youth Concerns

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have officially vowed to prioritize the grievances highlighted by the younger generation. This promise follows the violent anti-graft protests that occurred in September, which resulted in significant loss of life.

"Agreement should not be what a leader wants, it must be what the nation requires," stated Lamichhane following the deal was finalized.

The late summer uprising was sparked by public anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a catalyst for deeper discontent stemming from years of slow growth and longstanding allegations of deep-rooted political corruption.

Terms of the New Political Partnership

According to the official pact, the roles for the approaching election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the leader of the RSP. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the party's candidate for the position of prime minister in the election set for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular 51-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing broad discontent with the country's established political leadership. He has previously held the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently released on bail in a case related to reported cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The thirty-five-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is seen as a key player in Nepal's ongoing political transition. He was instrumental in setting up the caretaker government that took over after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Wider Government Consultations Underway

In a related event, the current interim prime minister over the weekend conducted consultations with a number of leading political figures. These discussions involved ex- prime ministers and the heads of rival major parties, marking the initial such dialogue since the time of the protests.

Following these meetings, the prime minister posted on social media to state that conducting a credible election is a collective responsibility. The message affirmed the government's dedication to ensuring a secure and fear-free environment for the electoral process, noting that efforts are being made to eliminate any room for doubt.